MAPKBP1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase binding protein 1) is a scaffolding protein that functions in multiple cellular pathways. Its primary role involves JNK signaling pathway regulation, where it serves as a scaffold protein containing a conserved loop-helix dimerization domain necessary for homodimerization and heterodimerization with other JNK scaffolds like WDR62 1. MAPKBP1 localizes to mitotic spindle poles during early mitosis and associates with microtubules, with its C-terminal coiled-coil domain being critical for proper cellular localization and dimerization 23. The protein exhibits cell cycle-dependent centriolar recruitment but notably does not localize to primary cilia, distinguishing it from typical ciliopathy-associated proteins 32. Disease relevance includes associations with nephronophthisis 20, a late-onset cilia-independent form of kidney disease caused by biallelic MAPKBP1 mutations that disrupt protein dimerization and mitotic spindle pole recruitment 32. Additionally, high MAPKBP1 expression serves as an unfavorable prognostic biomarker in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia, associated with shorter survival and altered oncogene expression 4. Clinical significance extends to DNA damage response, where MAPKBP1 translation is upregulated following X-ray irradiation and its suppression inhibits radiation-induced apoptosis 5.